GREENFIELD — It’s a steep climb to the top of the mountain, and it gets steeper near the top, where eagles make their eyries.
The metaphor, invoked by Boy Scout Troop 5 Scoutmaster Will Campbell, was not lost on the roughly 100 people who attended the Eagle Court of Honor at the Greenfield Elks Lodge Saturday.
Ayden Stacey, 18, of Erving, was honored as he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest echelon of the Boy Scouts of America. Stacey said it was “one of the greatest accomplishments of my life,” completing a journey that began when he became a Cub Scout at age 7.
“I’m estatic, honored,” said Stacey, surrounded by friends, family and fellow scouts, and sporting the new red, white and blue Eagle Scout neckerchief.
To become an Eagle Scout — in addition to the hours of demonstrating knowledge of outdoor survival to scouting leaders — Stacey created and carried out a service project. He painted the entire parking lot and traffic lines, free of charge, for the First Congregational Church of Greenfield, 43 Silver St.
The First Congregational Church, Stacey said, allows Troop 5 to use its building for meetings.
“They’re local, they’re a low-income church with low membership,” said Stacey, adding that he wanted to give back to the organization that has been generous to himself and other scouts.
Stacey thanked his mother, stepmother and father, as well as his grandfather, the late Jim Sayer, who encouraged Stacey to continue with scouting.
“He was someone who was one of my greatest mentors,” Stacey said. “He was my grandfather and best friend.”
Stacey also thanked Campbell, who was Stacey’s scoutmaster all throughout scouting, including when Stacey was a Cub Scout.
Several guests gave short speeches congratulating Stacey, including Greenfield Mayor William Martin and Erving Selectboard member Scott Bastarache.
“We’re very proud to have had Ayden in our community and to have Troop 5 in our community for many years,” Martin said.
Stacey, who is a student at Franklin County Technical School, said his next steps will be getting his plumbing license, working and continuing to employ the values of hard work and community service in his life.
Franklin Tech football coach Joe Gamache, who Stacey described as a mentor, said, “I’ve been involved with athletics for 20 years, and I’ve seen very few kids like Ayden.”
“Ayden is a young man who will do anything for anyone. He works extra hard,” he added. “The kids like Ayden are the ones who make a special mark in my heart and I will never forget.”
Stacey received certificates of recognition from U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker for his accomplishments.
After all, out of all the Eagle Scout-eligible scouts throughout the Boy Scouts’ existence, millions of young men, only 2 percent have become Eagle Scouts — a statistic proudly cited by several who congratulated Stacey on Saturday.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.